As we all know, 2” Fauxwood Blinds are replacing the mini-blind as the commodity window covering of choice in homes across America. Did you also know that many commercial businesses are choosing to go with the more upscale look of 2” Fauxwood Blinds as well? Low cost, fast delivery times and the advantage of true custom fitting provide the most value for the dollar. As a result, commercial customers such as restaurants, resorts, hotels, hospitals, retirement homes and apartment complexes are choosing to buy 2” custom blinds. This is especially true when the local building specifications require that the window coverings be rated as flame retardant.
Is the Commercial Contract Market right for you? There are many factors to be considered before you know the answer to this question. As a rule, bidding in the commercial market is highly competitive, with low margins and high volume. In addition, you must have the financial strength to cover the large investment needed to supply big orders in a short time-frame. You may be required to properly read plans and interpret specifications so as to ensure that the bids are complete and accurate. Timely delivery and installation is crucial. However, if you are able to handle these requirements, you can open a new market that allows you to increase sales that are not dependent on the fluctuating housing market.
All of us here at Woodland Blinds understand that having a supplier that you can count on will make your venture into the commercial market a success for all of us. For the past five years, the biggest growth area in our business has come from the commercial contract market. Any order with 10 or more blinds/shades that totals more than $1,000 (without the fuel surcharge) may be eligible for a contract quote discount. Fax your requests to (888) 833-2950. If you have questions, please call Becky Rice, Sales and Marketing Manager, at (800) 818-0059, ext 105.
Our commitment to you includes:
· Fast response to quote requests. We treat quote requests with the utmost priority. Quotes are processed several times a day. Any quote received by 2:00 PM CST will be sent by the end of the day.
· Lowest possible price. Woodland Blinds has always believed in passing cost reductions on to our customers. With large volume orders, we save labor and freight costs. This is especially true when the order is in one product line and one color. As a result, we discount to our lowest possible margin.
· Reliable production time. Orders of up to 100 units usually go through our plant in the normal estimated production time of 3 to 5 business days. Orders with more than 100 units may take a day or two longer. The general rule of thumb is to process and release orders up to 300 blinds every other day. Of course, large orders in low-volume colors or products may require additional time for material delivery.
Here’s what you can do to help us give you the best quote possible:
· Information is key. Give us as much information as possible when requesting a contract quote price: Estimated order date, type of project, whether the order will be produced all at one time or in partial orders, color, special options and features, etc.
· Call us if you have questions. We see commercial contract quotes and orders every day. Technical and specification information can help land the job. Let us know when you encounter roadblocks, there may be something we can do to help.
· Send us the order as early as possible. We need the purchase order in hand in order to acquire the material that may be needed to complete the order.
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Honeycomb Cellular Shades
In June, 2006 we introduced our new product line of Honeycomb Cellular Shades. We will be the first to admit that the introduction of this new product line had a bumpy start. The quality of the shades that we produced during startup fell short of what all of us here at Woodland Blinds consider to be acceptable.
During the fall of last year, we spent considerable time and effort analyzing the manufacturing specifications for each type of shade (i.e., standard construction, cordless, EasyLift, etc.). The good news is that we now have a product line that looks and functions to our normal high-quality standards.
We would like to thank all of our customers who stood by us during this time. We would also like to ask those of you who took your cell shade business elsewhere to give us another chance. Our normal production time for cell shades is still 3 to 5 business days.
Cell Shade Sample Decks are in stock and available $17.50 each.
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Introducing:
Builders Express
Made to Measure
Blinds & Shades
Woodland Blinds is proud to announce that we now have a special program to target home builders and other commercial customers. The Builders Express Program includes a limited selection of 2” Fauxwood Blinds and ¾” Honeycomb Cellular Shades. This brand new program provides you, the distributor, with low-priced, alternative products that allow you to competitively sell to high-volume customers.
Builders Express Blinds and Shades are priced to allow you compete in any market. And we ship them in 2 working days. These products are made with the same high-quality 500-hour-rated fauxwood slats and cellular fabrics as our custom programs. The valance profile on the Express Blinds matches the valance for our custom KingWood “B” Blinds.
With the high quality, low price and quick delivery time, this product line will allow you to compete with any cut-down fauxwood blinds offered in your local market. Most of the inexpensive, off-the-shelf fauxwood blinds are inferior in quality because they offer either 200-hour-rated fauxwood or fauxwood slats with no rating at all. Our 500-hour-rated fauxwood slats have been tested and certified as the best available for protection against damage caused by UV rays and for stability to prevent warpage.
2” Fauxwood Blinds in 2 colors:
#4110 Snow White #4111 Pearl White
Honeycomb Cellular Shades in 2 styles:
Cordless Construction - ¾” Double Cell
Corded Construction - ¾” Single Cell
The 2 Cellular styles are
available in the following colors:
#5401 White #5402 Sand
#5403 Taupe #5404 Tan
A sample deck and price list were recently sent to you for your consideration. Our prices include shipping within the Continental United States. The Builders Express deck features the 2 fauxwood slat colors and all 4 colors offered in our 3/4” single cell and 3/4” double cell shades in one easy-to-carry deck. Additional sample decks for the express blinds and shades are available for $4.99 each. Order forms and specification information can be found on our website at www.woodlandblinds.com.
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